Class of 2019 Le Mars Police Citizens Academy. From left to right, Chief Kevin Vande Vegte, Hiedi Geringer, Cathy Van Maanen, Jolynn Goodchild, Scott Taylor, Mary Albert, Beckie Lamp, Victoria Smithson, Michelle Conner, Curt Allen, Dean Christoffel, and Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale.
(Le Mars) — Ten people graduated last evening from the second Le Mars Police Department’s Citizen Academy. The class have had eight sessions over the course of a month learning about the job responsibilities of a Le Mars Police Officer. The class learned about traffic stops, identifying drugs, crime investigations, weapons, CERT tactical movements, and even domestic
assaults. Curt Allen who is employed with the city’s water department says he enjoyed the course, and learned something new about our local police department. During the seminar, Allen had volunteered to be tased.
Allen shares what was the most interesting aspect of the police citizens academy.
Scott Taylor of Total Motors was another participant of the program, and explains why he participated, and what surprised him.
Dean Christoffel, another citizens academy participant, says he wanted to learn more about law enforcement since his son had gone to Iowa’s Law Enforcement Academy.
Christoffel says the section covering sexual abuse and domestic assault was perhaps most troubling for him.
Nearly all the participants exclaimed how much they had learned during the four-week program, and that they each have a greater appreciation for the job performed by the officers of the Le Mars Police Department. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte and Assistant Chief Justin Daale served as the instructors
for the course.
